Integration monitor is a daily Latvian press digest on ethnic minority and society integration issues. The Monitor reviews the biggest Latvian dailies: Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga (in Latvian language), Vesti Segodnya (in Russian language). In specific cases other information sources are used. Latvian Centre for Human Rights is not responsible for information published by the media.

Press Review

Press Review

Poet M.Caklais interviews three Saeima deputies about the current situation of the state language in Latvia. P.Tabuns thinks that the situation has got worse because the Russian speakers have realised that they can live without any Latvian language knowledge. A.Predele speaks about two groups of people - the ones who want to learn and others who just try to get a language knowledge certificate by any means. Dz.Abikis thinks that the language position has strengthened in some fields. The policy on the level of legislation and adopted decrees is correct; the number of children studying in Latvian speaking schools increase, but the practical activities of the government do not stand any critics. The deputies consider that they should protect Latvian position and not to yield to any further recommendation.

Poet M.Caklais interviews three Saeima deputies about the current situation of the state language in Latvia. P.Tabuns thinks that the situation has got worse because the Russian speakers have realised that they can live without any Latvian language knowledge. A.Predele speaks about two groups of people - the ones who want to learn and others who just try to get a language knowledge certificate by any means. Dz.Abikis thinks that the language position has strengthened in some fields. The policy on the level of legislation and adopted decrees is correct; the number of children studying in Latvian speaking schools increase, but the practical activities of the government do not stand any critics. The deputies consider that they should protect Latvian position and not to yield to any further recommendation. Neatkariga

The OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel suggests not to rush with adoption of the new language law, and there is still a need to justify the adoption of this law. The new law should correspond to the international norms, at the same time protect the Latvian language.

The OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel suggests not to rush with adoption of the new language law, and there is still a need to justify the adoption of this law. The new law should correspond to the international norms, at the same time protect the Latvian language. Neatkariga

Panorama Latvii interviewed the Chairman of the Saeima Commission on Education, Culture and Science Dz.Abikis about the results of their meeting with the High Commissioner. He stated that for politicians it was important to meet politicians from Europe and persuade them about the necessity of one or another legal norm, and it had given some result. For example, the last High Commissioners recommendations were not so comprehensive and categorical.

EU Minister of Foreign Affairs van den Broek has expressed his concern about the conformity of some norms of the draft language law to the European Treaty in a letter to Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs. Also the High Commissioner Max van der Stoel stated that the final wording of the law should satisfy the Latvian nation and correspond to the international standards. At the same time an idea is being discussed at the Saeima that there is no need for this new draft law at all, it would be enough to amend the existing law, if necessary.

EU Minister of Foreign Affairs van den Broek has expressed his concern about the conformity of some norms of the draft language law to the European Treaty in a letter to Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs. Also the High Commissioner Max van der Stoel stated that the final wording of the law should satisfy the Latvian nation and correspond to the international standards. At the same time an idea is being discussed at the Saeima that there is no need for this new draft law at all, it would be enough to amend the existing law, if necessary. Diena

Lauku Avize

published an interview with the Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia D.Johnson where he speaks about the draft language law and OSCE recommendations.

SM

has organised an action to support the High Commissioners recommendations. They published cards with a text expressing support to the OSCE recommendations and asked readers to full them out and mail to the editors office. The cards will be forwarded to the High Commissioner. has organised an action to support the High Commissioner’s recommendations. They published cards with a text expressing support to the OSCE recommendations and asked readers to full them out and mail to the editor’s office. The cards will be forwarded to the High Commissioner.

SM

published also the text of the draft national integration program. Along with the text they published an announcement of a number of public organisations where they stated that they could not support this program because it leads to assimilation of national minorities. They propose the authorities to consider an alternative version of the program and to postpone adoption of the draft language law and stop the implementation of Articles 9, 41, 56.2, 59.2 and Article 9 of Transitional Provisions of the Law on education. published also the text of the draft national integration program. Along with the text they published an announcement of a number of public organisations where they stated that they could not support this program because it leads to assimilation of national minorities. They propose the authorities to consider an alternative version of the program and to postpone adoption of the draft language law and stop the implementation of Articles 9, 41, 56.2, 59.2 and Article 9 of Transitional Provisions of the Law on education.